NIC to sponsor first ever North Idaho adventure race

North Idaho College's Student Activities Department will sponsor the inaugural NIChallenge, an adventure race Saturday, May 7 at Farragut State Park.

NIC's Outdoor Pursuits program is helping to coordinate the event, which is the first ever to be held in North Idaho.

“I think the closest other regular adventure race is in Leavenworth, Wash.,” said Outdoor Pursuits Coordinator Paul Chivvis. “This is a relatively new form of race that focuses on teams and fun and NIC is proud to bring this opportunity to racers and outdoors enthusiasts in North Idaho.”

Chivvis, Outdoor Pursuits Assistant Coordinator Jon Totten, Associated Students of NIC Vice President Emily Compton and former Computer Services employee Brad Yoder entered the Washington adventure race last year to get firsthand experience of the sport to see if it was feasible to organize a race in Coeur d'Alene.

“Adventure racing is challenging, but it's also a lot of fun, so we have no doubt that there will be a lot of people here interested in participating,” Chivvis said.

Adventure racing is a multiple-sport race based on teamwork and designed to test the limits of competitors. Races often include kayaking or canoeing, trekking, mountain biking, and an orienteering or problem solving obstacle that must be completed along the team-navigated course, which ranges from 20 to 300 miles and 3 hours to four days in length depending on the race.

The NIChallenge is a sprint adventure race that incorporates 10 to 15 miles of mountain biking, four to six miles of trail running and two to five miles of paddling and basic navigation as well as obstacles to test teamwork and physical and mental skills. Specific details of the NIChallenge course will not be released until race day to ensure that participants retain their sense of adventure, according to Chivvis.

The race is part of the Challenge Adventure Race Series offered in western Washington and is cosponsored by Fleet Feet Sports, Two Wheeler Dealer, Mountain View Cycle and Mountain Gear.

Teams of two or four members (co-ed, all-male or all female) must register by Sunday, May 1. Cost is $75 per person and includes a capilene shirt from Patagonia, food at the event and the opportunity to win various prizes.

Register online or in person at the Outdoor Pursuits Office, located on the lower level of NIC's Edminster Student Union Building.